Trailer Debut: Moneyball

The first official trailer for Bennett Miller‘s Moneyball – a film that spent years in development hell – has debuted online. Based on Michael Lewis’ book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, it stars Brad Pitt as real-life baseball manager Billy Beane, who revolutionised the way teams are formed and championships are won.

Originally set to be directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film was put on hold a mere two days before production was to begin back in 2009, with Sony demanding script rewrites. Eventually Soderbergh moved on, as did Pitt’s co-star Demetri Martin. Miller was brought in to direct, and Jonah Hill replaced Martin as Beane’s assistant general manager. Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin also rewrote much of Stan Chervin’s original script.

Although the prospect of a film about a) baseball and b) analytics may not sound like the most appealing combination to most cinephiles, the presence of Pitt, Hill, co-stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Chris Pratt, as well as Miller and Sorkin should make this rocket to the top of your most-anticipated list. The fact that the trailer is incredibly appealing helps too.

Check out the trailer and share your thoughts below!

Moneyball arrives in Australian cinemas October 27, 2011.

Discuss: Just remember … Sorkin made a film about Facebook riveting.